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CAMPAIGNING: The charity has a proud history but says there are new battles to fight for disabled drivers

‘You still need us’

AMOTORING charity that helped bring about the Blue Badge and Motability schemes says its future is at risk

The warning comes as Disabled Motoring UK marks its 100th anniversary

DMUK, which also campaigned successfully for driving licenses for disabled people and exemptions from vehicle excise duties, VAT on some vehicles and congestion charges, says its situation has become “fairly serious”

Margaret Oldham, chair of DMUK, said: “We are in a difficult financial situation, and have to find some solutions ”

The organisation fears the support it provides, and its campaigning work, are viewed as less important than services offered by other charities

But DMUK said the “significant challenges” created by the transition to electric vehicles – and the ongoing issues around parking, blue badges, disability benefits and smart motorways – meant it still had a vital role to play

One option is to put together a funding bid to help disabled people – already struggling with the cost of living crisis – in the move towards electric vehicles, which Oldham said was a “big issue” for DMUK’s 16,000 members

She said: “Like most charities, we have found funding very difficult over the past few years

“People are supporting so many desperate charities like those helping Ukraine, or mental health charities, cancer charities or Children in Need, that DMUK is not seen as being vital to support

“But with the importance of electric vehicles at the moment, plus the everlasting issues we face on parking, blue badges, disability benefits, smart motorways and such like, we do not want to have to close ”

She said DMUK has had an “immense” influence over the last 100 years, enabling disabled people to be mobile, “which in many cases has enabled employment, independence and enjoyment”

FLASHBACK to 1947: Denny Denley, who did so much for disabled drivers, went on a trek across the Alps in his petrol-powered Argson tricycle It led to the Invalid Tricycle Association being formed, which later became the Disabled Drivers Association

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